Selectively attached and oriented indicator of body position and movement

ABSTRACT

A pointer rod may be selectively positioned on a person or apparatus held and swung by a person and selectively positioned and oriented to provide a visible magnified indication of the motion of position at which the pointer rod is positioned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/134,006, filed Mar.17, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improved body control during physicalactivities, and more particularly to aiding a person's awareness of bodyposition and motion during physical activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people who decide to play a sport that requires grasping andswinging an apparatus to hit a ball, for example golf, fail toappreciate the importance of the rotation and movement of their body tothe swing of the apparatus. Of particular importance to an effectiveswing are the relationships of body movement to the motion of a player'shead, arms, wrists, head and legs.

A player who has not learned proper body rotation and movement for asport may have very low body awareness making it difficult to producethe desired and effective timing and rhythm between arm motion and bodyrotation and motion that is required for efficient and repeatablemovement. Both learning and maintaining proper body movement androtation are important for performance in sports that require swingingan apparatus to hit a ball. Developing and maintaining optimal bodyrotation and movement for the sport's swinging movement is important forimprovement in sports that entail swinging an apparatus such as apaddle, bat, club or racket.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns providing a visible indication of the motion ofone or more locations on a person's body during a physical movement andfor swinging an apparatus, a visible indication of the motion of theapparatus.

An aspect of the invention concerns indicating the motion and rotationof a person's body, as well as lack of motion, during physical movement.

Another aspect of the invention concerns indicating the motion androtation of a person's body while swinging an apparatus.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a pointer thatmay be attached to a location on person's body and that will support anindicating object at an end of the pointer that is separated from theperson's body.

Yet another aspect of the invention concerns providing a pointer thatmay be selectively attached to a base that is secured to a person.

It is yet another aspect of the invention provides a pointer that may bereleasably attached to a base that is sized and constructed to besecured to an article that may be worn by a person such as clothing, astrap or a hat.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pointer that may be attachedto a base at a selected position on the base and that may further beselectively positioned to extend from the base in a desired direction.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide alightweight rod that extends outwardly from a specific location on aperson's body or to a location on an apparatus such as a club, bat orracket to magnify the motion of the location in order to aid the personin developing body awareness which will lead to better connectivitybetween the arms and body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows position and rotation indicator system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an adjustable pointer of the position androtation indicator system shown by FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of a second embodiment of an adjustablepointer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a person at a first position of a swing motion wearing themovement and rotation pointer at the person's waist.

FIG. 5 shows a person at a second position of a swing motion wearing themovement and rotation pointer at the person's waist.

FIG. 6 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to the bill ofa hat.

FIG. 7 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to a leg belowthe knee.

FIG. 8 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to the shaft ofa golf club.

FIG. 9 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to an ankle.

FIG. 10 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to a wrist.

FIG. 11 shows a person grasping a golf club near a ball strike positionof a swing motion having the movement and rotation pointer attached tothe shaft of a golf club at the club head.

FIG. 12 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to the bill ofa hat.

FIG. 13 shows a person grasping a golf club at a position of a swingmotion having the movement and rotation pointer attached to a case forthe indicator system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a body position and rotation indicator system 10 accordingto the present invention. The indicator system 10 shows the motion androtation locations on or portions of a person's body, e.g. hips,shoulders, chest, head, arms, legs etc. The pointer system 10 shows themotion and rotation of a person's body by an adjustable pointer 12 thatextends outward from a point on a specific area of a person's body towhich the pointer 12 is mounted. The pointer 12 amplifies the motion ofthe location of the person's body to which it is mounted to therebyhelping the person to develop more body awareness and lead to betterconnectivity between the arms and body for a swing motion.

As shown by FIG. 2, the pointer 12 includes a lightweight rod 14 thatextends from an indicating end 24 to a mounting end 22. The rod 14 issufficiently stiff to avoid unacceptable deformation when moving with aperson's body to thereby provide reliable indication of the person'sbody movement. The rod 14 is extensible so the distance from theindicating end 24 to the mounting end 22 may be set as desired. The rod14 may be constructed of telescoping sections to provide adjustablelength. The rod 14 is mounted to a rod pointer base 16 at the mountingend 22. A pin 26 extends along an axis and through the rod base 16 andthe mounting end 22 of the rod 14. The rod 14 rotates about the axisthat extends along pin 26 to change its angle position with respect tothe rod base 16. The rod 14 rotates with respect to the rod base 16 in aplane that is perpendicular to the axis of pin 26.

Adjacent to the mounting end 22 of the rod 14, the rod base 16 forms acurved edge 32 that is generally centered at the pin 26. A series ofindicia marks 34 extends along the curved edge 32. A rod mark 28 is onthe rod 14 adjacent to the curved edge 32. Rotation of the rod 14 aboutthe pin 26 moves the rod mark along the series of indicia marks 34pointer base 16. The rod 14 may be rotated about the pin 26 to positionthe rod mark 28 adjacent to one of the indicia marks of the series 34.The angle of the rod 14 with respect to the rod base 16 is thereby setby a reference to the series of indicia marks 34. A lock lever 36selectively locks the rotation of the rod 14 with respect to the rodbase 16. The lock lever 36 may engage a clamp that squeezes the rod base16 against the mounting end 22 of the rod 14. The angular position ofthe 14 with respect to the rod base 16 may thereby be set at a desiredposition and maintained at that position.

The rod base 16 extends from the pin 26 in a direction that is generallyperpendicular to the pin 26 to a support face 38. The support face 38 ofthe rod base 16 is generally flat and circular. The support face 38 isgenerally parallel to the axis of pin 26. A series of indicia marks 42extends around the rod base 16 adjacent to the support face 38. The rodbase 16 is made of a ferromagnetic material at the support face 38.

A pointer base 18 includes a magnet 44 that forms a generally flatsupport face 46. The support face 46 is sized and shaped to generallyconform to the support face 38 of the rod base 16. A pointer base mark48 is on the pointer base 18 adjacent to the support face 46. Rotationof the pointer base 16 on the support face 46 moves the series ofindicia marks 42 past the pointer base mark 48 so that the position ofthe rod base 16 with respect to the pointer base 18 may be set byreference to the series of indicia marks 42. The magnet 44 exerts asufficient attraction on the rod base 16 to maintain the rod base 16 onthe magnet 44 in the selected orientation for motion of the pointer base18 with a person's body during motion.

The pointer base 18 movement with the rotation/movement of the body partit is attached to provides immediate and magnified feedback to that bodypart's movement. The extent and speed of the rotation/movement is morevisible the farther the rod 14 extends outward.

FIG. 3 shows another body position and rotation indicator having anadjustable pointer 12 according to the present invention. The adjustablepointer 12 shown by FIG. 3 includes an extensible pointer rod 114extends from an indicating end 124 to a mounting end 122. The pointerrod 114 is sufficiently stiff to avoid unacceptable deformation whenmoving with a person's body to thereby provide reliable indication ofthe person's body movement. The rod 14 is extensible and may be extendedalong its length as indicated by arrow 131 to an extended configurationshown in phantom at 132.

The mounting end 122 engages a pointer base 116 that engages a strap 62which may be secured to a person to position the pointer base 116 at adesired position on the person's body. The mounting end 122 engages thepointer base 116 to form an articulating joint. The mounting end 122 maythereby rotate with respect to the pointer base 116 in two planes asindicated by arrows 133 and 135 to positions 134 and 136, respectively,as shown in phantom.

The articulating joint formed by the mounting end 122 and the pointerbase 116 may be secured by a clamp that is actuated by rotations of thepointer rod about its length as shown by arrows 141 and 143. Thearticulating joint formed by mounting end 122 and the pointer base 116may be released by rotation of the pointer rod 114 as indicated by thearrow 141. The pointer rod 114 then rotated as indicated by arrows 133and 135 to a desired direction, and the pointer rod then engaged to thepointer base 116 by rotating the pointer rod 114 as indicated by thearrow 143.

Referring again to FIG. 1, system 10 includes a clip 52 that includes apointer base 18. The clip 52 is sized so that it will engage and remainattached to a strap of a golf glove or to a seam or bill of a hat. Theclip 52 thereby provides a means for mounting the pointer base 18 to agolf glove or hat, and thereby provides for magnetically mounting therod base to the glove or hat. The direction that the rod 14 extends fromthe hat or glove may be selected by rotation of the rod 14 about the pin26 as described above, and by rotating the pointer base 16 on the magnet44 as also described above.

The system 10 shown by FIG. 1 also includes an end of grip fastener 54that includes a pointer base 18. The end of grip fastener 54 may beaffixed to the end of the grip of a golf club or racket. When affixed tothe end of a grip, the grip fastener 54, the pointer base 18 ispositioned such that the support face 46 of the magnet 44 facesgenerally along the club or racket and away from the club or racket.Again, the rod base 16 may be selectively positioned on and magneticallyheld to the pointer base 18 as previously described, and the directionthat angle that the rod 14 extends from the rod base 16 may be selectedas previously described.

The system 10 shown by FIG. 1 further includes a shaft clamp 56 thatincludes a pointer base 18. The shaft clamp 56 may be affixed to theshaft of a golf club. The support face 46 of the magnet 44 of thepointer base 18 faces generally perpendicular to the shaft to which theclamp is attached. Yet again, the rod base 16 may be magnetically heldto the base 18 and the direction that the rod 14 extends may be selectedas previously described.

The system 10 shown by FIG. 1 also includes a buckle 58 that includes apointer base 18. The two sections of buckle 58 may be secured toopposite ends of straps 62. The support face 46 of the magnet 44 of thepointer base 18 faces generally outwardly from the buckle and thereforeaway from a person around whom the strap 62 is positioned. As for theother attachments that include a pointer base 18, the rod base 16 may bemagnetically held to the base 18 and the direction that the rod 14extends may be selected as previously described.

Similar to the straps 62 and buckle 58, the system 10 shown by FIG. 1also includes a forearm strap 64 with a pointer base 18. Again, thesupport face 46 of the magnet 44 of the pointer base 18 faces generallyoutwardly and away from a person around whom the strap 64 is positioned.As for the other attachments that include a pointer base 18, the rodbase 16 may be magnetically held to the base 18 and the direction thatthe rod 14 extends may be selected as previously described.

The most important aspect of this invention is its versatility. Thelightweight rod is adjustable in length. Additionally, the rod canswivel and lock to point in any direction. The Body Rotation/MovementRod will come with adjustable straps in different lengths to account forthe wide range of circumferences depending on what body part the pointeris fixed to.

As shown by FIG. 2, the indicating end 24 may be a conical or roundedend of the rod 14. The indicating end 24 may rather include a means forattaching an indicator to that end. Any suitable means for attachmentmay be used including threads, clips, adhesive or friction attachment.The system 10 shown by FIG. 1 includes two indicators that may beattached to the indicating end 24. The soft foam ball 66 may be mountedto the indicating end 24 to provide a large visual cue to a person usingthe indicator system 10. The mount 68 may be attached to the indicatingend 24 to support other indicators including accelerometer and positionindicating electronic indicators that may communicate by Bluetooth orother communication technology.

FIG. 4 shows a person having an adjustable pointer 12 attached to astrap 62. The pointer 12 is positioned to extend generally parallel tothe ground and outwardly from the person's hip. In this position, thepointer 12 will aid the person in developing a golf swing by providingan indication for position of the person's elbow during a golf swing.

FIG. 5 shows a person having the pointer 12 attached to a strap 62during a golf swing motion. The pointer 12 is positioned to extendoutwardly from the person's hip and will rotate with the person's hip.In this position, the pointer 12 will provide a visual indication to theperson of the desired movement of the person's arm with the rotation ofthe person's body during a golf swing.

FIG. 6 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 and having the pointer 12attached to the bill of a hat 82. The pointer 12 may be secured to thebill of the hat 82 by the clip 52. In this position, the pointer 12 willprovide a visual indication to the person of the desired position of theperson's head for a golf swing.

FIG. 7 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 and having an adjustablepointer 12 attached to a leg below a knee by a strap 62. The pointer 12is positioned to extend generally parallel to the ground and outwardlyfrom the person's leg. In this position, the pointer 12 will aid theperson in developing a golf swing by providing an indication forposition of the person's leg.

FIG. 8 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 to which the pointer 12 isattached. The pointer 12 may be secured to club shaft by the shaft clamp56. In this position, the pointer 12 will provide a visual indication tothe person of the desired position and motion of golf club 78 for a golfswing.

FIG. 9 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 and having an adjustablepointer 12 attached to an ankle. The adjustable pointer 12 may beattached by a strap 62. The pointer 12 is positioned to extend generallyupwardly along the person's lower leg. In this position, the pointer 12will aid the person in developing a golf swing by providing anindication for position of the person's leg.

FIG. 10 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 and having an adjustablepointer 12 attached to a wrist. The adjustable pointer 12 is attached bya strap 62. The pointer 12 is positioned to extend generally along andbeyond the person's forearm. In this position, the pointer 12 will aidthe person in developing a golf swing by providing an indication ofmovement of the person's forearm.

FIG. 11 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 to which the pointer 12is attached. The swing shown by FIG. 11 is near the ball strikeposition. The pointer 12 may be secured to the club shaft by the shaftclamp 56. In this position, the pointer 12 will provide a visualindication to the person of the desired position and motion of golf club78 at the ball strike position.

FIG. 12 shows a person grasping a golf club 78 and having the pointer 12attached to the bill of a hat 82. The person is at a follow throughposition of a golf club swing. The pointer 12 may be secured to the billof the hat 82 by the clip 52. In this position, the pointer 12 willprovide a visual indication to the person of the desired position of theperson's head for a golf swing.

FIG. 13 shows a person swinging a golf club 78 and the pointer 12 isattached to the pointer base 18 positioned on a case 76 as illustratedby FIG. 1. Pointer 12 remains stationary providing the person with avisual reference for a golf club swing.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.For example, a rod base and pointer base may be selectively engagedother than magnetically with flat contacting surfaces such as by beingformed to physically engage each other and may include releasableretaining apparatus such as a clip.

Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A body position and rotation indicatorcomprising: a pointer rod; the pointer rod extending from a base end toan indicating end opposite the base end; a rod base; the base end of thepointer rod is rotationally connected to the rod base to rotate about anaxis that extends through the pointer base; the rod base forming agenerally flat rod base support face that is generally parallel to theaxis; a pointer base the pointer base forming a generally flat pointerbase support face the rod base support face being sized to beselectively positionable against the pointer base support face; and thepointer base and the rod base constructed for the rod base support faceand the pointer base support face to be releasably secured to eachother.
 2. The body position and rotation indicator of claim 1 wherein:the rod base forms an edge adjacent to the pointer rod; the edgepositioned and configured to be adjacent to the pointer rod as thepointer rod rotates about the axis; a series of pointer rod indiciamarks is positioned along the edge; and a rod mark is positioned on thepointer rod adjacent to the edge whereby the pointer rod may be rotatedabout the axis to selectively position the angle of the pointer rod withrespect to the rod base by reference to the rod mark and the series ofpointer rod indicia marks.
 3. The body position and rotation indicatorof claim 1 further comprising a selectively actuated clamp formaintaining the pointer rod at a selected angle with respect to the rodbase.
 4. The body position and rotation indicator of claim 1 wherein: anouter periphery extends around the rod base support face; a series ofpointer base indicia marks is positioned adjacent to the outer peripheryof the rod base support face; and a pointer base mark is positioned onthe pointer base adjacent to the pointer base support face whereby therod base may be rotated on the pointer base support face to selectivelyposition the angle of the rod base with respect to the pointer base byreference to the pointer base mark and the series of pointer baseindicia marks.
 5. The body position and rotation indicator of claim 1wherein the rod base comprises a ferromagnetic material adjacent to rodbase support face and the pointer base further comprises a magnet thatforms the pointer base support face whereby is releasably secured to thepointer base by attraction of the rod base to the magnet of the pointerbase.
 6. A body position and rotation indicator comprising: a pointerrod; the pointer rod extending from a mounting end to an indicating endopposite the mounting end; a pointer base; the mounting end of thepointer rod is connected to the pointer base by a joint that allows torotate in two planes with respect to the pointer base; the mounting endof the pointer rod is connected to the pointer base by a clamp thatengages the mounting end of the pointer rod to the pointer base toprevent rotation and releases to allow the mounting end of the pointerrod to rotate with respect to the pointer base.
 7. The body position androtation indicator of claim 6 wherein a strap extends through thepointer base to secure the pointer base to a desired location on aperson's body.